Craigavon Bridge Reimagined: A Colourful Landmark

Over 2020 and 2021, we worked on a key pedestrian bridge in Central Craigavon, Ireland, connecting Rushmere Shopping Centre to Marlborough House, as part of ABC Council’s ongoing Bridge Revitalisation Project.

The aim was to modernise and enhance the structure, creating a safer, more inviting route for the public while adding visual interest to the town’s landscape. The bridge plays an important role in linking residential, retail, and leisure areas, so the transformation needed to be both practical and eye-catching. The crossing now enhances the town’s landscape with colour, precision lighting, and a seamless digital control system.

We were brought in by AuraLED to provide full lighting control and commissioning. The project had evolved since our initial quote, but we responded quickly to keep it on track. With flexibility, hands-on problem solving, and a clear vision for quality, our team made sure the bridge was delivered exactly as required, on time and fully operational.

Engineering on the Move

When we first scoped the job, our remit covered second fix only. However, once on site, it was clear the bridge hadn’t yet been wired. With the deadline fixed and road closures already booked, we quickly reassessed the plan and provided a revised quote that same day, covering first fix cabling, access, and additional installation needs.

We sourced materials across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, working quickly to get the bridge wired and ready for the stainless steel handrail fabrication. Our first fix included laying armoured power cabling and external-grade Cat5 for control signals, carefully routed to accommodate future phases of the job.

Once fabrication was complete, we returned to carry out second fix and commissioning. Five of our engineers returned and installed the RGBW neon system, IP-rated control enclosures, and the floodlights beneath the bridge. The whole system was tested and programmed on site, ready for public use.

A System Designed to Perform

At the centre of the installation is one of our dedicated envisio Lighting Servers, connected to a Draytek router and fully integrated into our remote management platform, hosted by Terahost. This setup allows us to monitor, update, and control the entire system off-site, with live access to settings, playback, and diagnostics.

The lighting itself combines high-quality hardware with a flexible control strategy. We installed 350 metres of RGBW Neon Strip housed in custom track profile along both sides of the bridge, creating continuous, colour-changing handrail illumination. The underside of the bridge is lit using twelve RGBW floodlights, highlighting the architecture and adding depth to the space.

Both the illuminated handrail and the architectural up-lighting are controlled via DMX, ensuring smooth, synchronised lighting effects. The system also incorporates Art-Net for efficient networked control and communication across the installation. Our engineers commissioned and programmed the entire setup on-site to ensure seamless operation and long-term reliability.

With remote management at its core, this system offers consistent performance, easy updates, and flexibility, making it a standout feature of the Bridge Revitalisation Project.

Lighting That Lasts

The bridge now stands as a visual anchor in Craigavon, functioning both as a public utility and a creative focal point. Its lighting system is managed and monitored by our team via remote access, allowing for updates, support, and diagnostics without the need for site visits.

While there were some unexpected changes to the specification along the way, our approach stayed consistent: respond fast, work smart, and deliver clean, reliable results. It’s another example of how we bring complex lighting systems to life, even when plans change.